posted on Dec, 14 2005 @ 05:49 PM
Being a professional theatrical lighting engineer, I fully understand the dangers of lasers, and can also understand the nuiscance they can pose to
aircraft (especially some military aircraft that use laser guidance systems).
One question I have about this legislation, though (and don't get me wrong, I fully support it), is what about outdoor concerts/theatre events that
make use of lasers. Often lasers used in events of this type are far more powerful than the average laser pointer (laser pointers are 4.9mW lasers,
whereas the average professional grade laser light is between 10-20mW- roughly 2-4 times as intense a beam). Many times, these lasers are completely
automated by the lighting board (following the predetermined program set forth by whoever programmed that board), and many times, these lasers are
used in conjunction with fog effects, and will project into the sky as part of the light show. While no malicious intent is meant, could one of these
lasers hitting an aircraft be cause to fine/arrest the lighting programmer, or would, instead, regulations be made to notify the local air traffic
control in the event of an outdoor event that uses lasers, so that exceptions or re-routing of air traffic can be made?
Any time I've ever programmed a laser to shoot into the sky, the last thing I'd think of is interference with aircraft - it's all about creating
the asthetically pleasing lightshow. At the same time, the last thing I'd ever want to do with a laser, even accidentally, is cause an accident with
an aircraft. I'm not out to harm anyone... I'm out to entertain. There's hundreds (and probably thousands) of people like working in the
entertainment industry in the US alone, and probably tens of thousands worldwide.
[edit on 14-12-2005 by obsidian468]